Developers on Twitter said the government's suggestion of a mobile app code of conduct lacks credibility given the recent NSA scandal over the secret surveillance of American citizens.
For months, the NTIA has been holding stakeholder briefings about the need for greater transparency around how mobile apps collect, store and manage consumer information. The code of conduct was released late last month.
Of course, those at all involved in online privacy were happy with the news.
First draft of #privacy code of conduct for apps released by White House. Glad this is on the radar. #progress http://t.co/zBmWZPe6VL
— Reputation.com (@Reputation_Com) July 26, 2013
Good to see first draft of #privacy code for apps re @personal #data & #privacy by @NTIAgov & @whitehouse http://t.co/Di936ZYEnG
— Josh Galper (@JoshGalper) July 26, 2013
Not everyone was convinced, however.
To give customer more privacy? #LOL good one! "White House telecom advisor proposes privacy code of conduct for apps http://t.co/S1jH2pX3rD"
— e (@eif82) July 26, 2013
Given recent news, some wondered if there wasn't a bit of hypocrisy in singling out app developers for misusing information.
Is it the same government that spies with PRISM? US government announces first national app privacy code of conduct http://t.co/CASUthuOVF
— Nicola Zordan (@NicolaZordan) July 27, 2013
Oh the irony -- US government announces first national app privacy code of conduct http://t.co/5fz0MIZ5Et
— garciasn (@garciasn) July 27, 2013
I assume that somehow, this includes encrypting the apps' data and traffic, making it NSA and FBI-proof? http://t.co/PklEBCTfYN
— Paul Ward (@dssstrkl) July 26, 2013
Now if only they'd follow it... "@verge: US government announces first national app privacy code of conduct http://t.co/BcpNTtkDVw"
— Steven Kopec (@KopecSteven) July 27, 2013
Not mandatory but RT @verge: US government announces first national app privacy code of conduct http://t.co/KU2NCeeEqe
— Dianna (@DiannaMuircast) July 26, 2013